Propulsion and steering means for motor boats



June 13, 1961 R. L. NIMMO ETAL PROPULSION AND STEERING MEANS FOR MOTOR BOATS Filed NOV. 26, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig! INVENTORS Raymond L. Nim mo Wess A. Culwell wig/2W4 ATTORNEY June 13, 1961 R. NIMMO ETAL 2,988,039

PROPULSION AND STEERING MEANS FOR MOTOR BOATS Filed Nov. 26, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Raymond L. Nimmo Wess A. Culwell ATTORNEY m" IIMW" June 13, 1961 R. 1.. NIMMO EIAL 2,938,039

PROPULSION AND STEERING MEANS FOR MOTOR BOATS Filed Nov. 26, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet. s

53 2e 53 e e @I m: A I a i. 9 M G) Fig.7

Fig.8

// "W lli M INVENTORS Raymond L. Nimmo Wess A. Culwell B; Zed/Q2;

ATTORNEY 2,988,039 PROPUL'SIDN AND STEERING MEANS FOR MOTOR BOATS Raymond L. Nimmo, 3316 Hamilton, and Wess A. Culwell, 600 E. Roberts, both of Fort Worth, Tex. Filed Nov. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 776,463 4 Claims. (Cl. 11535) This invention relates to propulsion and steering means for motor boats, and it concerns more particularly, in combination with a boat having an inboard motor and a propeller driven by the motor, a combined propeller support and rudder element pivotally and rotatably connected at one end to the rearend of the boat, means drivingly connecting the motor to thepropeller, and steeringmeans acting on the propeller support and rudder element to rotate it about its longitudinal axis.

An object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a boat having an inboard motor, a propeller driven by the motor, a combined propeller support and rudder element including an integral torque tube having means pivotally and rotatably connecting it at one end to the rear end of the boat, exteriorly thereof, whereby it is movable pivotally in the vertical plane, about its connected end, while at the same time being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a rotatable drive shaft drivingly connecting the motor to the propeller and having sections connected to each other by meshing gears, one of the sections extending through the torque tube, a rotatable steering shaft, and a gear train connecting the steering shaft to the torque tube whereby the propeller support and rudder element is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube upon rotation of the steering shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a boat having an inboard motor, a combined propeller support and rudder element including an integral torque tube having means pivotally and rotatably connecting it at one end to the rear end of the boat, ex-

teriorly thereof, whereby it is movable pivotally in the vertical plane, about its connected end, while at the same time being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a propeller shaft arranged transversely relative to the torque tube, a propeller on the propeller shaft, a rotatable shaft in the torque tube, a rotatable drive shaft driven by the motor and extending through the rear end of the boat, a gear train connecting the drive shaft to the shaft in the torque tube, meshing gears connecting the shaft in the torque tube to the propeller shaft, a rotatable steering shaft arranged parallel to the drive shaft and extending through the rear of the boat, and a gear train connecting the steering shaft to the torque tube whereby the propeller support and rudder element is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube upon rotation of the steering shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a boat having an inboard motor, a rotatable drive shaft driven by the motor and extending through the rear end of the boat, a rotatable steering shaft arranged parallel to the drive shaft and extending through the rear end of the boat, a gear housing including a first section, a second section and a third section, the first and second sections being rigidly connected to the rear end of the boat, exteriorly thereof, and enclosing the outer ends of the drive shaft and the steering shaft, respectively, the first and second sections being aligned horizontally and spaced apart from each other, the third section being positioned between the first and second sections and rotatably connected thereto at its ends.

A combined propeller support and rudder element is provided, including an integral torque tube having one of its ends received in a side opening formed in the ice third gear housing section androtatably connected there to whereby the propeller support and rudder element is movable pivotally in the vertical plane, about the connected ends of the third gear housing section, while at the same time being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube, another gear housing formed on the propeller support and rudder element adjacent its lower end, below the torque tube, a propeller shaft arranged transversely relative to the torque tube and having one of its ends extending into the last mentioned gear housing, a propeller on the propeller shaft, a rotatable shaft in the torque tube.

Also provided is a first gear train in the first mentioned gear housing connecting the drive shaft to the shaft in the torque tube, meshing gears in the last mentioned gear housing connecting the shaft in the torque tube to the propeller shaft, whereby the propeller shaft is driven by the drive shaft, and a second gear train in the first mentioned gear housing connecting the steering shaft to the torque tube whereby the propeller support and rudder element is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube upon rotation of the steering shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the type described in which the first gear train comprises a shaft in the first mentioned gear housing aligned axially with the axis of rotation of the third section thereof and having gears on opposite ends thereof meshing with gears on the drive shaft and the shaft in the torque tube, respectively, and the second gear train comprises a first shaft in the first mentioned gear housing aligned axially with the axis of rotation of the third section thereof, a second shaft arranged at right angles to the first shaft and connected thereto by meshing gears, the first and second shafts having gears on the ends thereof opposite their connected ends meshing with gears on the steering shaft and the periphery of the torque tube, respectively.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable means, capable of limiting the pivotal movement of the propeller support and rudder element about its connected end in a forward direction, while permitting the ly as described.

propeller support and rudder element to be swung freely in a rearward direction, upon forward movement of the boat, comprising a bar extending upwardly from the third gear housing section and movable pivotally with the propeller support and rudder element, a first rod reciprocal in an opening in the rear end of the boat, a detent for the upper end of the bar consisting of a rectangular block connected to the outer end of the rod, the block having a groove in its underside, parallel to the rod, for engagement by the upper end of the bar, the groove be ing spaced from the outer end of the block to form an abutment limiting the pivotal movement of the bar in a rearward direction, a second rod arranged parallel to the first rod and having threads on one of its ends whereby it is adjustably secured in a threaded opening in the rear end of the boat, a crank on the end of the second rod opposite the threads for adjusting the rod longitudinally relative to the rear end of the boat, a lug on the second rod intermediate its ends having an opening therein surrounding and slidably engaging the first rod, the first rod having a nut threaded on its inner end, and a compression spring surrounding the first rod and acting on the lug and the nut to yieldably urge the rod forwardly relative to the rear end of the boat.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the type described in which a pair of propeller support and rudder elements, each carrying a propeller driven by the motor, are positioned on opposite sides of the drive shaft, the parts being substantially duplicated and the arrangement thereof being substantial- Another object of the invention is to provide latch means, responsive to the rotative position of the propeller support and rudder element relative to the axis of the torque tube, capable of limiting the pivotal movement of the propeller support and rudder element in a rearward direction, upon rearward movement of the boat, comprising a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one side of the third gear housing section, below its pivot, and movable pivotally in the vertical plane, an integral cam surface positioned eccentrically of the torque tube below the third gear housing section for engagement by the lower end of the lever, a latch member pivotally connected to one side of the detent block, an integral pin on the latch member receivable in a slot formed in the adjacent side of the block, adjacent its lower edge, and communicating with the longitudinal groove in the underside thereof, for engagement with the bar to limit its pivotal movement in a forward direction, and a compression spring surrounding the pin and acting on the latch member and the detent block to yieldably urge the pin outwardly relative to the block, the arrangement being such that the upper end of the lever abuts the latch member, whereby the pin is forced into the slot, by the action of the cam surface on the lower end of the lever.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away, showing the rear end of a boat having propulsion and steering means embodying the invention, and showing the propeller support and rudder element inone of its operating positions;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the propeller support and rudder element in another of its operating positions;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan view, on an enlarged scale, partly broken away, taken on the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the lines 4'4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken on the lines 55 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view, partly broken away, showing the rear end of a boat having a modified form of propulsion and steering means embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the apparatus shown-in FIGURE 7.

Referring to FIGURES l to 6 of the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally a boat, the rear end of which is shown. The boat 1 has an inboard motor (not shown). A rotatable drive shaft 2, which has a clutch 3 operatively connected therein, is driven by the motor and extends through the rear end of the boat 1. A rotatable steering shaft 4 is arranged parallel to the drive shaft 2, and extends through the rear end of the boat 1. A spool 5 is connected to the inner end of the steering shaft 4, and a rope 6, which is operatively connected to a steering wheel (not shown), is looped around the spool 5 whereby the steering shaft 4 is turned with the steering wheel.

A gear housing, which is designated generally by the numeral 7, includes a first section 8, a second section 9, and a third section 10. The first section 8 and the second section 9 are rigidly connected to the rear end of the boat 1, exteriorly thereof, and enclose the outer ends of the drive shaft 2 and the steering shaft 4, respectively.

The first section 8 and the second section 9 are aligned horizontally, and are spaced apart from each other. The third section 19 is positioned between the first section 8 and the second section 9, and is rotatably connected thereto at its ends.

A combined propeller support and rudder element, which is indicated generally by the numeral '11, includes an integral torque tube 12. The torque tube 12 has one of its ends received in a side opening formed in the third gear housing section 10, and is rotatab-ly connected thereto whereby the propeller support and rudder element 11 is movable pivotally in the vertical plane, about the connected ends of the third gear housing section 10, While at the same time being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube 12.

Another gear housing, indicated by the numeral 13, is formed on the propeller support and rudder element 11 adjacent its lower end, below the torque tube 12. A propeller shaft 14 is arranged transversely relative to the torque tube 12, and has one of its ends extending into the gear housing 13. A propeller 15 is connected to the propeller shaft 14, and is rotatable therewith.

A rotatable shaft 16 extends through the torque tube 12, and is connected at one end, by a first gear train 17 in the gear housing 7, to the drive shaft 2. The first gear train 17 comprises a shaft 18 in the gear housing 7, which is aligned axially with the axis of rotation of the third gear housing section 10 and has gears 19 and 20 on opposite ends thereof meshing with gears 21 and 22 on the drive shaft 2 and the shaft 16. The shaft '16 is connected at its opposite end, by meshing gears in the gear housing 13, to the propeller shaft 14, whereby the propeller shaft 14 is driven by the drive'shaft 2.

The steering shaft 4 is connected to the torque tube '12 by a second gear train 23 in the gear housing 7, whereby the propeller support and rudder element 11 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube 12 upon rotation of the steering shaft 4. The second gear train 23 comprises a first shaft 24 in the gear housing 7, which is aligned axially with the axis of rotation of the third gear housing section 10, and a second shaft 25 which is arranged end to end, at right angles to the first shaft 24, and is connected thereto by meshing gears 26 and 27. The first shaft 24 and the second shaft 25 have gears 28 and 29 on the ends thereof opposite their connected ends meshing with gears 30 and 31 on the steering shaft 4 and the perhiphery of the torque tube 12, respectively.

A bar 32 extends upwardly from the third gear housing section 10, and is movable pivotally with the propeller support and rudder element 11. A first rod 33 is reciprocal in an opening in the rear end of the boat 1. A detent for the upper end of the bar 32 consists of a rectangular block 34, which is connected to the outer end of the rod 33. The block 34 has a groove 35 in its under side, parallel to the rod 33, for engagement by the upper end of the bar 32. The groove 35 is spaced from the outer end of the block 34 to form an abutment limiting the pivotal movement of the bar 32 in a rearward direction.

A second rod 36 is arranged parallel to the first rod 33, and has threads 37 on one of its ends whereby it is adjustably secured in a threaded opening in the rear end of the boat 1. A crank 38 is connected to the end of the rod 36 opposite the threads 37, for use in adjusting the rod 36 longitudinally relative to the rear end of the boat 1. A lug 39 on the rod 36 intermediate its ends has an opening therein surrounding and slidably engaging the rod 33. The rod 33 has a nut 40 threaded on its inner end. A compression spring 41 surrounds the rod 33, and acts on the lug 39 and the nut 40 to yieldably urge the rod 33 forwardly relative to the rear end of the boat 1.

A lever 42 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one side of the third gear housing section 10, below its pivot, and is movable pivotally in the vertical plane. An intergral cam surface 43 is positioned eccentrically of the torque tube 12, below the third gear housing section 10, for engagement by a cam follower 44 on the lower end of the lever 42.

A latch member 45 is pivotally connected to one side of the detent block 34, and is movable pivotally in the horizontal plane. An integral pin 46 on the latch member45 receivable in "a slot 47 formed in the adjacent side of the block 34, adjacent its lower edge, and communicating with the longitudinal groove 35 in the under side thereof, for engagement with the bar 32 to limit its pivotal movement in a forward direction. A compression spring 48 surrounds the pin 46, and acts on the latch member 45 and the detent block 34 to yieldably urge the pin 46 outwardly relative to the block 34. The arrangement is such that the upper end of the lever 42 abuts the latch member 45, whereby the pin 46 is forced into the slot 47, in response to the action of the cam surface 43 on the cam follower 44, upon rearward movement of the boat 1.

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawing, a modified form of the invention is shown in which a pair of propeller support and rudder elements 11, each carrying a propeller 15 driven by the motor, are positioned on opposite sides of the drive shaft 2, the parts being substantially duplicated and the arrangement thereof being substantially as described.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, a single gear housing section 8 is common to two gear housings 7, each of which corresponds to one of the propeller support and rudder elements 11. A single shaft 18 and gear 19 are common to two gear trains 17. A single spool 5 is common to two steering shafts 4, which are connected to each other by a chain belt 49 and a pair of sprockets 50.

As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, a single rod 36 and crank 38 are connected by a yoke 51, which corresponds to the lug 39 shown in FIGURES 1 to 6, to two rods 33, in the manner described.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the block 34 has a slot 52 in the end thereof opposite the rod 33, for engagement by a lug 53 formed on the lower end of the third gear housing section 10. Aligned openings are formed in the block 34 and the lug 53 for engagement by a pin 54 whereby the lug 53 is retained in the slot 52. This arrangement permits the propeller support and rudder element 11 to be secured in its upside down position, out of the water.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the portion of the drive shaft 2 which passes through the rear end of the boat 1 is offset relative to the longitudinal center line of the boat 1. Gears (not shown) may be provided inside the boat 1 whereby the drive shaft 2 is centered relative to the boat 1 throughout a major portion of its length, if desired.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a boat having an inboard motor, a rotatable drive shaft driven by the motor and extending through the rear end of the boat, a rotatable steering shaft arranged parallel to the drive shaft and extending through the rear end of the boat, a gear housing including a first section, a second section and a third section, the first and second sections being rigidly connected to the rear end of the boat, exteriorly thereof, and enclosing the outer ends of the drive shaft and the steering shaft, respectively, the first and second sections being aligned horizontally and spaced apart from each other, the third section being positioned between the first and second sections and rotatably connected thereto at its ends, a combined propeller support and rudder element including an integral torque tube having one of its ends received in a side opening formed in the third gear housing section and rotatably connected thereto whereby the propeller support and rudder element is movable pivotally in the vertical plane, about the connected ends of the third gear housing section, while at the same time being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube, another gear housing formed on the propeller support and rudder element adjacent its lower end, below the torque tube, a propeller shaft arranged transversely relative to the torque tube and having one of its ends extending into the last mentioned gear housing, a propeller on the propeller shaft, a rotatable shaft in the torque tube, a first gear train in the first mentioned gear housing connecting the drive shaft to the shaft in the torque tube, meshing gears in the last mentioned gear housing connecting the shaft in the torque tube to the propeller shaft, whereby the propeller shaft is driven by the drive shaft, and a second gear train in the first mentioned gear housing connecting the steering shaft to the torque tube whereby the propeller support and rudder element is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the torque tube upon rotation of the steering shaft.

2. The structure of claim 1, the first gear train comprising a shaft in the first mentioned gear housing aligned axially with the axis of rotation of the third section thereof and having gears on opposite ends thereof meshing with gears on the drive shaft and the shaft in the torque tube, respectively, the second gear train comprising a first shaft in the first mentioned gear housing aligned axially with the axis of rotation of the third section thereof, a second shaft arranged at right angles to the first shaft and connected thereto by meshing gears, the first and second shafts having gears on the ends thereof opposite their connected ends meshing with gears on the steeringlshaft and the periphery of the torque tube, respective y.

3. The structure of claim 2, and adjustable means, capable of limiting the pivotal movement of the propeller support and rudder element about its connected end in a forward direction, while permitting the propeller support and rudder element to be swung freely in a rearward direction, upon forward movement of the boat, comprising a bar extending upwardly from the third gear housing section and movable pivotally with the propeller support and rudder element, a first rod reciprocal in an opening in the rear end of the boat, a detent for the upper end of the bar consisting of a rectangular block connected to the outer end of the rod, the block having a groove in its under side, parallel to the rod, for engagement by the upper end of the bar, the groove being spaced from the outer end of the block-to form an abutment limiting the pivotal movement of the bar in a rearward direction, a second rod arranged parallel to the first rod and having threads on one of its ends whereby it is adjustably secured in a threaded opening in the rear end of the boat, a crank on the end of the second rod opposite the threads for adjusting the rod longitudinally relative to the rear end of the boat, a lug on the second rod intermediate its ends having an opening therein surrounding and slidably engaging the first rod, the first rod havinga nut threaded on its inner end, and a compression spring surrounding the first rod and acting on the lug and the nut to yieldably urge the rod forwardly relative to the rear end of the boat.

4. The structure of claim 3, and latch means, responsive to the rotative position of the propeller support and rudder element relative to the axis of the torque tube, capable of limiting the pivotal movement of the propeller support and rudder element in a rearward direction, upon rearward movement of the boat, comprising a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one side of the third gear housing section, below its pivot, and movable pivotally in the vertical plane, an integral cam surface positioned eccentrically of the torque tube below the third gear housing section for engagement by a cam follower on the lower end of the lever, a latch member pivotally connected to one side of the detent block, and movable pivotally in a horizontal plane, an integral pin on the latch member receivable in a slot formed in the adjacent side of the block, adjacent its lower edge, and communicating with the longitudinal groove in the under side thereof, for engagement with the bar to limit its pivotal movement in a forward direction, and a compression spring surrounding the pin and acting on the latch 7 member and the detent block to -yie1dab1y urge the pin References Cited in the file of this patent outwardly relative to the block, the arrangement being I D such that the upper end of the lever abuts the latch UN STATES PATENTS member, whereby the pin is forced into the slot, in re- 2,752,875 H1115 July 1956 spouse to the action of the cam surface on the cam 01- 6 FOREIGN PATENTS lower, upon rearward movement of the boat. 568,341 Great Britain Mar. 29, 1945 

